Balancing Residents' Aspirations with Sustainable Transport Goals: A Case Study of Shimla, India

Abstract

With an increase in income, changing lifestyles, and people’s aspirations, managing sustainable transportation has become a challenge for policymakers, management authorities, and planners. Shimla, a hill city in India, is facing acute stress on water availability, green cover, housing, and transport infrastructure due to its rapid urbanization and population growth. Mobility patterns are closely linked to existing land-use patterns and socio-economic characteristics of the city residents. Mobility patterns not only impact the environment but also impact access to various facilities, safety, and security of city residents. This paper presents data from a household survey covering 400 households, including 1763 inhabitants of Shimla city in India. The existing travel patterns of the city residents are compared with the goals of the sustainable transport system. While many existing travel patterns align with the goals of a sustainable transport system discussed in the international literature, the aspirations of city residents conflict with these sustainable transport goals. Future mobility patterns are unlikely to meet the goals of sustainable transport unless major policy interventions are implemented.